Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

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The evolution of stealth action continues with this game's new multiplayer mode.

By Aaron Boulding

Make no mistake Splinter Cell was and still is one of our favorite titles for the Xbox. The ideas behind the sequel, Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow, including more spy gadgetry, more intelligent enemy AI and the unprecedented online multiplayer mode, were more than enough to get us salivating all over again. Now that it's here and ready to be enjoyed by all, we're convinced more than ever that this franchise is here to stay and this game in particular is a major contributor to the evolution of the stealth-action genre that used to be dominated by Konami's Metal Gear Solid series. This time, the solo campaign isn't the main attraction. In fact that component of the game is slightly improved over the original. It's the all-new online multiplayer mode that steals the show for Pandora Tomorrow and makes this a must own videogame experience.

Gameplay

The solo campaign in Pandora Tomorrow is improved over the original with new challenges that take advantage of Sam Fisher's new abilities and gear. It feels like a natural extension of the experience we had in the first game and this is both good and bad. Overall, the main story mode feels like it could've been done in the original game if only the development team had had more time to tweak and tune and fiddle with the final version. So improvements like the three-alert system where enemies will don more gear to protect themselves and become more aggressive as you cause more need for alarm is a great concept until you realize that you're getting audio cues from Lambert or the guards themselves that "they're going on high alert" or "returning back to normal." It's an attempt to keep more casual gamers engaged in a franchise that some perceived to be too difficult the last time out. However, for fans of the original Splinter Cell, and there apparently were millions of them, you may feel like you're taking a half-step backwards.

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On the other hand, Pandora Tomorrow makes up for this kind of babysitting by also compelling you to do more actual spy stuff and engage in more realistic espionage now that there are tons of NPCs running around. Sure you may already know how to use the laser microphone and diversion cameras, but using all of Sam Fisher's gear and your wits will be the key in Pandora Tomorrow. Using a special vision mode to first identify a target and then using all you've got to neutralize and or interrogate them is more along thelines of what a real covert operative would have to do. You'd think Third Echelon would have better intel going into a mission, but you're actually gathering a lot of clues about the diabolical terrorist plot yourself as you play through the game.

One of Sam's most dramatic new abilities is his "SWAT" move that allows him to quickly pivot through open doorways or alleys in one fluid motion so that anybody in that room won't even notice him. It's another one of those things that should've been in the first game, but we're glad to have it now. Having this option means you can simply bypass hotspots with four or five enemies crowded together rather than take them all on. The health system allows you to partially or fully heal Sam Fisher when you encounter a med-station somewhere in the level. The option for full or partial recovery comes because med-stations can run out of healing juice and Sam himself has a full tie-off-and syringe animation that leaves him vulnerable to enemies that come wandering by.